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| Lingerie Glossary |
Baby Doll
A garment with bra cups attached to an often sheer or see-through loose skirt of approximately stomach to hip length.
Back seam
Stockings with a thick seam running the full length of the back of the leg, for those that like a retro, sexy, perhaps old fashioned (1930's - 50's) look.
Bikini
A bathing suit or panty style which is of two pieces and normally smaller than previous styles. The lower part can also be a thong or g-string. The bikini was invented by French engineer Louis Reard and fashion designer Jacques Heim in Paris in 1946.
Bodice
Bodice refers to an upper garment with removable sleeves or no sleeves, often low-cut, worn in Europe from the sixteenth century to the eighteenth century, either over a corset or in place of one. Bodices were originally made in two pieces that fastened together, frequently by lacing.
Bodystocking
Close fitting hosiery for full or nearly full body coverage, similar to a bodysuit or a catsuit. It is usually made of sheer, see through material similar to those used for stockings and tights, or from fishnet material. It is considered one of the most erotic lingerie garments, as much for how it feels as how it looks.
Bodysuit
Close fitting one piece "body stocking" similar to a leotard. See body stocking.
Boning
Rigid supports sewn vertically into a bustier or corset that help to maintain a slim, shapely look around the torso. Originally made from bone (hence the name), now it is made of plastic.
Boy shorts
A women's panty style similar in shape to boy's underwear, yet sexier and more feminine.
Bralette
A sexy bra-like top that lacks the usual support features of a real bra.
Brazilian back
A panty style that covers more of the buttocks than a thong, but less than a traditional full-back panty.
Briefs
Short, close fitting underwear with a full back.
Brocade
Rich oriental material of raised design patterns, often in gold or silver.
Burnout
Alternating design patterns of sheer, see through and opaque (not see through) material.
Bustier
A bra that extends beneath the breasts to the waist to provide additional support, control and sex appeal. Bustiers enhance the wearer's bust while slimming the waist, while. Bustiers often have detachable garter straps for holding up stockings. Some people wear it as an outer garment with jeans or skirt.
Camisole or Cami
A cami or camisole covers the top part of the body. It is tight fitting, unlike the loose-fitting babydoll or chemise. Often made of satin or silk. A short top usually offering little support for the breasts.
Chantilly lace
Chantilly lace is a handmade bobbin lace, originally from Chantilly, France. Silk Chantilly laces date from the 18th century, later made a range of colors. Common design patterns include floral and ribbons, usually on a delicate, dotted background.
Charmeuse
An opaque (not see through) (i.e., not see through), shiny material. Synonym for satin.
Chemise
A type of short sexy dress or slip. "Chemise" is French for shirt, or smock.
Chiffon
A lightweight, sheer, see through material.
Choker
A close fitting necklace, like a collar, which tends to delineate the head and body and is associated with restraint, control or submission, which some find sexy.
Contoured fit
Garment is cut/sewn to the shape of the body or body part for a more comfortable fit.
Corset
A piece of lingerie that cinches the waist and lifts the breasts. Lacing, normally at the back, adjusts waist reduction, fit, and comfort. An overbust corset encloses the torso from under the arms to the hips. An underbust corset begins just under the breasts. Corsets are typically constructed of a flexible material, like cloth or leather, yet can be made more rigid with boning—also called ribs or stays—inserted into vertical channels.
Corset construction is known as corsetry. Someone who makes corsets is a corsetier (for a man) or corsetire (for a woman). "Corsetry" is also used as a collective plural form of corset.
Cowl
A loose, low-draped neckline.
Crochet knit
A large, open knit pattern that resembles crocheting. The word crochet is derived from the Middle French word croc or croche, meaning hook. It describes the process of creating fabric from a length of cord, yarn, or thread with a Crochet hook. The terms also describes a musical note.
Crop top
A very short top extending to just below the breasts.
Crotchless
A style of lingerie providing an opening in the area of a panty or piece of lingerie that would cover the crotch.
Cuban foot
Hose, pantyhose or stockings with a colored sole, often black, and tapered blocks at the ankle.
Decorative back
A g-string or thong with decorations such as jewels, rhinestones, chains, beads, etc., in the back where the T is formed.
Demi cups
Demi cups, or half cups, are a type of bra cup which provide upward support while revealing more of the upper breasts.
Dot net
Sheer, see through net material decorated with evenly spaced opaque (not see through) dots.
Epaulet
An decorative strip of material on the shoulder.
Eyelash lace
Lace garment with strands at the edges that resemble eyelashes.
Eyelets
Ring, usually of metal, used for closure, lacing or decoration.
Faux fur
Fur of synthetic or man-made material..
Faux leather
Leather of synthetic or man-made material.
Faux pearls
A pearl of synthetic or man-made material.
Fence net
A large, thin open net. Similar to fishnet.
Fishnet
An open mesh stocking material noted for its sex appeal.
Fit and flair
A dress style characterized by a form fitting top which flairs out towards the hem line, often resulting in pleats (folds).
Flocking
Design technique using a short, velvet-type fiber.
Flutter
A panty style with a strip of material around the sides that is elastic on top, but loose below.
Fly
A convenience opening in the front of shorts or pants. Can be closed with a zipper, buttons or velcro, or it might just be an overlapping flap.
Frog closure
A type of closure using a special fancy knot that is inserted into a closed loop. Believed to be Chinese in origin.
Garter
An elastic leg band originally designed to hold up stockings but now just used for special occasions and sex appeal.
Garter belt
A belt worn around the waist with straps, called garters, that clasp onto stockings to keep them from falling. Usually with adjustable waist and stocking straps.
Garter straps
Stretchable straps which attach by a rubber and metal or plastic clip to the tops of stockings. Normally adjustable in length.
Gartini
A garter belt / panty hybrid that offers both straps for stockings and crotch coverage, as would a panty.
Gauze
A loosely woven mesh material that is lightweight and often see through. Often produced with natural fibers.
Georgette
A sheer, crepe woven, hard-twisted type of yarns or thread for producing a matt (non-reflective) or rough, textured surface.
Gown
A long dress normally extending to the ankles.
G-string
A panty with thin, elastic straps in back and around the waist, exposing the butt, or buttocks.
G-string back
A panty with only a thin piece of elastic in the back for attaching to the waist band and exposing the back side, bottom, or buttocks.
Half slip
An undergarment worn under clothing to add opacity and/or prevent clinging. A half slip is cut like a skirt, whereas a full slip is cut like a dress.
Halter neck
Garment wraps around the neck for support and, optionally, may be tied behind the neck (halter tie) or include a clasp (halter closure).
Halter top
A short top held up at the neck usually exposing the shoulders and upper back.
Inner tie
A hidden tie on the inside of a garment (usually a robe) to help keep it closed.
Iridescent
A type of material which appears to change color or sparkle as it moves.
Jacquard
A type of material characterized by an intricate weave or pattern. Originally named after French inventor Joseph-Marie Jacquard who invented a loom for producing material.
Jumpsuit
A one piece, full body garment with joined pants, or shorts, and top (with or without sleeves.
Keyhole
An oval-shaped opening.
Kick pleat
An inverted pleat, often used at the bottom of a skirt to give it more breadth.
Knit
A type of material made from interlocking loops of thread. Knit materials tend to stretch and conform to the shape of your body, which is a plus if you're looking for comfort, but a minus if you're trying to hide imperfections in your body shape.
Leather
Animal hide, or treated skin, most commonly from cows.
Lined crotch
An extra panel of material sewn into the crotch for added comfort and modesty.
Lining
An extra layer of material sewn into the inside of a garment for added comfort and, or, coverage.
Long line
A bustier that extends further down, usually to the hips.
Low rise
A style of pants, shorts, skirts or panties which ride low on the hips, instead of at the waist.
Lurex®
A fabric material created from a trade marked metallic thread.
Lycra®
A brand of spandex (elastic thread) threaded fabric.
Marabou
Soft, fluffy. feather-like material.
Microfiber
An extremely fine synthetic fiber usually woven into soft, light-weight, washable, breathable materials.
Miniskirt
A short skirt of such a length that it falls anywhere from just below the buttocks (micromini) to mid-thigh.
Mock
Simulated, faux, etc.
No fly
No opening in the front of shorts or pants.
Opaque (not see through)
Not see through. Semi-opaque is partially see through. For example, stockings can look opaque (not see through) until you stretch them over your leg, until the mesh opens and they become semi-opaque.
Open bust/tip
A bra with under-support and little coverage for the breasts. Open bust often means there is little or no cup. Open tip usually means there is a cup with an opening for the nipples.
Open rear
A lingerie design term for when the garment material remains between the butt, or buttocks, exposing the rest.
Over knee
Stockings meant to rise up just over the knee. Shorter than standard thigh high stockings. Usually, they are too short to be worn with a garter belt.
Overlay
A material, usually sheer or see through, that is layered on top of another piece of material, usually opaque (not see through).
Padded cups
Cups that contain padding, sometimes removable, for those with smaller breasts that might not otherwise fill out the cups.
Panty
Women's underpants, generally it usually rides on the waist, versus bikinis or low-rise thongs.
Pantyhose
Hosiery of close fit offering coverage from toes to waist.
Patent leather
Real or synthetic leather with a smooth, shiny outer surface.
Peek-a-boo cups
Cups with a slit or other opening that partially exposes the breasts or nipples.
Peignoir
From the French word which translates to "garment worn while combing the hair". A negligee or dressing gown.
Petticoat
An underskirt, often with lace edging, intended to add fullness to a dress.
Polka dot
A pattern characterized by small dots more or less evenly spaced throughout a fabric design.
Princess line
Visible seam which resembles the hourglass shape a princess desires.
Push-up
Cups containing padding, sometimes removable, designed to push up the breasts and create more, and more impressive, cleavage.
Regal lace
A particular pattern of lace that was given the name "Regal" by the original manufacturer.
Reinforced heel
Hosiery with additional, heavier material in the heel for improved durability.
Reinforced toe
Hosiery with additional, heavier material in the toe for improved durability.
Removable pads
Pads which can be removed from bra cups, as desired.
Rhinestones
Simulated precious stones for additional shape, texture, sparkle and glamour.
Ribbed
material with raised vertical 'ribs' usually made into form fitting design.
Rivets
A flat, round-headed metal fastener that goes through the material and is flattened out to form another head.
Robe
A loose fitting garments normally worn indoors, with a single front opening and tie closure.
Satin
A shiny, opaque (not see through) woven material with a sensual appeal and cool, slippery feel.
Scallop edge
A decorative trim material similar in appearance to a line of scallops, or sea shells, alined edge to edge.
Seamless
A garment designed and produced without seams. Seams can sometimes be uncomfortable, so a seamless garments can be more comfortable and often smoother in appearance than one with seams.
Sequins
Small shiny discs, often of synthetic material, which reflect light and add sparkle and glamour to a garment.
Shelf cup
Bra cups which provide support and coverage underneath the breasts only.
Shirred
Material which is gathered to make decorative fold.
Shorts
Um, very short pants.
Silk
A natural fibre that can be woven into composite fabrics. It is obtained from the cocoon of silkworms. Its delicate, shiny, shimmering appearance comes from the fibres' triangular prism-like structure, which allows silk cloth to refract light from various angles. Revered for some 5,000 years for its cool and luxuriously soft feel.
Skirtini
A sexy mini skirt with attached garters, for holding up stockings.
Slide top
A top, covering the breasts, with cups that are often shaped like triangles and slide horizontally along the band for adjustability.
Spandex®
A branded type of elastic thread. Fabric with only a small percentage of spandex thread allows a material to stretch. Spandex fabrics may contain 95% polyester and only 5% spandex, yet retain elasticity.
Stay-up
Stockings with rubber grips inside the tops that help to prevent them from slipping down the legs. They are meant to be worn without a garter belt, but they can usually be worn with a garter belt, if desired.
Stockings
Hosiery providing coverage from the toes up over the knee or to mid-thigh (thigh high) normally of highly elastic fabric, worn with or without a garter belt. A garter belt will ensure the stockings don't fall down the legs, and can add sex appeal.
Strapless
A lingerie garment with no shoulder straps.
Studs
Cone-shaped metal fasteners that pierce the material, normally flattened on the reverse (interior) side.
Suspender pantyhose
Stockings, pantyhose which are held up around the waist by the garment itself, or an attached waist band, often designed to look like a garter belt. The front and back are usually open, so some may prefer to wear a g-string or thong under or on top (more convenient) of the hosiery.
Tailored
Designed and, or, fitted to look customized, as if tailor-made.
Tank top
A short, sexy, sleeveless shirt.
Tap pant
Pants with a gathered and, or, elasticized waistband and short, loose-fitting legs.
Tapestry
Material similar in appearance to the rich, heavy, handwoven designs used in making curtains or upholstery.
Teddiette
A teddy, normally smaller than a teddie, or teddy, with attached garters to hold up stockings.
Teddy
A bodysuit-like lingerie garment. Unlike a bodysuit or body stocking, it is typically loose and sheer or see through, often with high cut legs and a thong back. It may be designed to slip off from the shoulders.
Thong
A panty with only a thin strip of material in the back that exposes most of the buttocks.
Tricot
Plain, close warp-knitted nylon material, made from a special machine for lengthwise running yarns.
Tube top
A strapless, body hugging top worn about the breasts and torso, made from a rectangular piece of material.
Twist
A fine, sheer, see through, mesh that stretches and clings to the body.
Underwired
Adds extra support and lift for the breasts using a thin wire sewn into the base of the cups. Especially desirable feature for larger breasted women.
Vamp
The part of a shoe upper or boot upper covering especially the forepart of the foot and sometimes also extending forward over the toe or backward to the back seam of the upper.
Veil
A decorative facial covering worn about the head, often in white, for brides and bridal occasions.
Velvet
A fabric material with a short pile known for its soft and luxurious feel.
Venice lace
Firm, heavy lace with an open background, usually in floral leaf design patterns.
Waist cincher
A snug, form fitting lingerie garment worn around the waist to smooth and control the waist. Often includes garter straps to hold up stockings.
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